demonstratives this that these those

Demonstratives are determiners that point to specific nouns and indicate their position in space or time relative to the speaker. Cambridge defines them as deixtic words that create reference points in communication.

THIS (singular) refers to something near the speaker in space or time. Example: This book (in my hand) is interesting.

THAT (singular) refers to something far from the speaker in space or time. Example: That building (across the street) is old.

THESE (plural) refers to multiple items near the speaker. Example: These pens (on my desk) are blue.

THOSE (plural) refers to multiple items far from the speaker. Example: Those cars (in the distance) are expensive.

Key Formula for Selection: SINGULAR + NEAR = THIS SINGULAR + FAR = THAT PLURAL + NEAR = THESE PLURAL + FAR = THOSE

Important Cambridge Distinctions:

• Demonstratives can function as determiners (before nouns: this car) or pronouns (replacing nouns: this is mine).
• They establish spatial deixis (physical distance) or temporal deixis (time distance: those days were better = past time).
• Cambridge emphasizes that demonstratives must agree in number with their noun: this computers ❌ these computers ✓

Mnemonic Device: "This and These stick Together (both start with 'th' + vowel); That and Those are Thrown away (further distance)."

Think of demonstratives as pointing fingers in language—they create an invisible line from speaker to object, just like physically pointing.

Shopping Scenario (Spatial Deixis): In a clothing store, you're holding a shirt: "I like this shirt" (in your hands). You see another across the room: "That shirt looks nice too" (at a distance). The sales assistant brings multiple items: "These trousers match" (close, plural). You point to items on a far rack: "Can I try those shoes?" (far, plural).

Temporal Deixis (Time Distance):

• "This morning I felt great" (current day = near)
• "That summer we visited Spain" (past time = far)
• "These days everyone uses smartphones" (current period = near)
• "In those times, life was simpler" (distant past = far)

Analogy: The Camera Zoom Effect Imagine demonstratives as camera settings: THIS/THESE = zoomed in, close-up shot (you can almost touch the subject). THAT/THOSE = zoomed out, wide-angle shot (subject is in the distance). The plural forms (these/those) simply add multiple subjects to your frame.

Real-World Communication: In presentations: "This chart shows..." (pointing to current slide) vs. "That data from last year..." (referring to previous information). In telephone conversations without physical context, demonstratives rely purely on temporal or discourse distance: "This problem we're discussing" (current topic) vs. "That issue you mentioned earlier" (previous topic).